BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES.
DR VALINTINE'S REPORT.
The usual weekly meeting of the Benevolent Trustees was held on the 12th inst. Mr W. T. Talboys occupied the chair, and Messrs A. Tapper, J. M. Galjaway, H. A. LeCren, J. Arkle, W. Burnett, and Captain Easther were present. The Secrotaj-y reported that three deaths had occurred at the institution since the last ! meeting — namely, William Storey, Cathe- , rine Henderson, and Thomas btewart. A letter was received from the Clutha , County Council regarding 111 acres of land I at Ratanui, made over to the Sisters of the Poor by an inmate of the Benevolent Institution. The land, it was stated, was valued at £45, with £25 extra for improvements. The Sisters had agreed to transfer the property to the Benevolent Institution, but the Clutha County Council wished to know if the transfer was worth while. — The Secretary said the place waa isolated and I covered with noxious weeds, and it was decided to procure information concerning it from Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., before taking any steps in the matter. It was further decided to place a Scotland street property belonging to the trustees in the hands of Messrs Geerin, Hally, and Co. for sale by publio auction, a reserve to be fixed. i One application for the position of nurso in the male ward wa3 received, and it was decided to refer the applicant to the ; Finance Committee and Dr Close. — The 1 Chairman reminded the trustees that Dr Valintine had told them that some very I good nurses existed who did not poshes certificates, and it was decido<l to alter the advertisement to read, "Wanted, nurses, etc," instead of "certificated nurses."— Mr Gallawav observed that the Benevolent i Home did not want any " Sairey Gamps," | and the. Chairman informed him that it was not likely to get any. The following report from Dr Valintine, Inspector-general of Hospitals, was read : — As to the present management of the institution, I found, after careful inspection, that the home waa well kept, both as regards cleanliness, discipline, and general comfort of the inmates, despite the fact that the custodian has to work under difficulties owing to his being shorthanded with regard to skilled assistance in the male hospital This defect, I ajn glad to note, your trustees have decided to remedy forthwith. I found the female hospital ward to be well kept, but it i« badly lighted and ventilated, and overcrowded It is, therefore, not suitable for it 3 present purpose. I am of opinion that the helpless cases of both sexes should be accommodated in the block now used for helpless males, which is admirably suited for the purpose. The four 15-bed wards in this block are excellent. The two wards in the upper storey should be used for the female hospital ; the two lower for the male hospital. Under euch conditions the females could be wheeled out on to the balconiee, where they could enjoy fresh air and sunshine, which they cannot obtain in the present ward. A small room on each floor could be used as an auxiliary kitchen, for winch two sina-11 ranges or gas hoafers would be required ; the chief cooking would be done in. the main kitchen. The whole of
this hospital block should be placed under the charge of two capable women skilled in the art of nursing. There are toohis on each floor available for such nurses. By the above arrangement some strain might be placed on the accommodation for healthy males. In a measure this could be met by using the semi-detached five-bed ward on the female 6ide. The door communicating with the female quarters could be closed, thus cutting off all communication with that part of the establishment. If the stairway in this room be removed outside the building it will make a suitable emergency dormitory or day room tor male 6. I am quite satisfied (after talking the above over with your medical officer) that there would be no difficulties with regard to the above arrangements. In my opinion the site is not a good one, being rather damp and cold. In course of time it should be extremely valuable, and without doubt your trustee* will then consider the advisability of acquiring a larger area of land in the country, on which to erect new buildings. The advantages of such are obvious. The patients could be removed from the temptations of town, and,, moreover, there would be more land available to keep them employed — a most essential matter for the well-being and discipline of the institution, to say nothing of tbe economy thereby effected. As to incurable cases, they can be well provided for in the hospital block a." recommended above. There are at present 40 such unfortunates in the institution. There is ample accommodation for such caees aa may require accommodation until a central home for incurables .can be undertaken by the local and neighbouring boards. If the boards,- say between Christchurch and lnvercargill, were to combine for the purposej a central home could be established for the reception of all cases within that combined district. The control of such a home should be vested in the board of the district in which it is erected. Of course, special legislation will be required to bring this about. The boards to which I have represented the economy and probable efficiency of such an institution have cordially promised their co-operation. Those members of your district board whom I have interviewed have also signified their willingness to co-operate in such a scheme. As to new buildings, partly on account of the cite, and the proposed incurable Home, and the possibility of your trustees removing the present institution to the country, I am strongly of opinion that it would be unwise to cumber the
la-nd with additional buildings. There are quite enough there for the present j urpose, and, again, the site is small enough aa it is, and it would be a pity to curtail ihe land which now kecpe some of the more able-bodied males employed. In connection with the above, I have perused Dr Closs's report, and may say that for the above possibilities I would havo recommended additions to the buildings as contained in his report. But, of course, Dr Closs had no idea of the above possibilities, so naturally he could only recommend as he hae reported. I carnot conclude my remarks without referring to the excellent work done by Mr and Mre Mcc, in the persons of whom your trustees have two excellent bervantg Mr Arkle said he considered that the substance of the above was the removal of the bed-ridden females, and said this ootilti t»e <3oixe *^ once.
Mr Mcc said nothing could be done until the nursea had arrived, and it was decided to hold a special meeting at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, to discuss arrangements Twenty-nine- cases of relief were dealt with.
'LINUM CATHARTICUM PILLS' oi Mountain Flax. An agreeaWe aperient. Worth a trial.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 64
Word Count
1,166BENEVOLENT TRUSTEES. Otago Witness, Issue 2779, 19 June 1907, Page 64
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